Apparatus and method for conveying information

ABSTRACT

Information relevant to proposed construction is conveyed by mounting planning element representations on a base or bases in unambiguous relation to reference lines on the base or bases. A mensuration strip is removably mounted in direct identifying relation to particular identified reference lines. The base has a multiplicity of holes consistently positioned with respect to and spaced along the reference lines. Representations of planning elements in the form of model pieces, dimensionally stable and self-supporting, each has a plurality of pegs projecting from an edge, the pegs being spaced to fit into spaced ones of the holes in the base. Saddle-shaped opening designations are removably mounted on dimensionally stable self-supporting model wallpieces. A flat pattern of a building model may be used, scale related to spacing of holes in a base, suitable for penetration by model piece pegs. Indicia of reference standard details are mounted in unambiguous relation to at least one reference line on the base and in clear relation to a representation of a planning element. Construction details may be a part of a representation of a planning element. Exterior building (facing) elements, e.g., outside wall surfaces, doors, windows, roof surfaces, on a common scale, mounted in projective relationship, in the relation of elevation to plan, to model pieces on the base. Information conveyed by the reference lines, mensuration strip and indicia of reference standard details being assimilable by a digital computer.

llnited States Patent Feagan Mar. 7, 1972 [54] APPARATUS AND METHOD FORCONVEYING INFORMATION [72] Inventor: Robert L. Feagan, 4905 Lindell, St.Louis,

[22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 876,664

[52] US. Cl ..35/l6 ..G09b 25/04 ....35/7 R, 7 A, 16, 24 A, 24 B;

248/DIG. 3; 46/16, 19

[51] Int. Cl. [58] Field ofSearch...

Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Atwmey-Polster and Polster [57]ABSTRACT Information relevant to proposed construction is conveyed bymounting planning element representations on a base or bases inunambiguous relation to reference lines on the base or bases. Amensuration strip is removably mounted in direct identifying relation toparticular identified reference lines. The base has a multiplicity ofholes consistently positioned with respect to and spaced along thereference lines. Representations of planning elements in the form ofmodel pieces, dimensionally stable and self-supporting, each has aplurality of pegs projecting from an edge, the pegs being spaced to fitinto spaced ones of the holes in the base. Saddleshaped openingdesignations are removably mounted on dimensionally stableself-supporting model .wallpieces. A flat pattern of a building modelmay be used, scale related to spacing of holes in a base, suitable forpenetration by model piece pegs. Indicia of reference standard detailsare mounted in unambiguous relation to at least one reference line onthe base and in clear relation to a representation of a planningelement. Construction details may be a part of a representation of aplanning element. Exterior building (facing) elements, 'e.g., outsidewall surfaces, doors, windows, roof surfaces, on a common scale, mountedin projective relationship, in the relation of elevation to plan, tomodel pieces on the base. Information conveyed by the reference lines,mensuration strip and indicia of reference standard details beingassimilable by a digital computer.

23 Claims, 69 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARWIHYZ 3,646,690

sum 02 or 14 INVENTOR 6RQBERT L. FEAGAN Y a 46% ATTORNEY v PATENTEUMAR 1I972 SHEET U l 0F 14 INVENTOR 1 /6561) F/G. 265 F/G. 26C

ROBERT L. FEAGAN ATTORNF PATENTEDMAR 71972 3,646,690

SHEET 08 [1F 14 IHVENTOR ROBERT L. FEAGAN ATTORNE PAIENTEDMAR 719123,646,690

SHEET UBUF 14 FIG. 4/

INVENTOR ROBERT L. FEAGAN ATTORNE I Pmtmenm 1:972 3,646,690

SHEET DSUF 14 INVENTOR ROBERT L. FEAGAN ATTORNEY PATENTEHMAR H9123,646,690

sum llUF 14 FIG. FIG.

INVENTOR ROBERT L. FEAGAN ATTORNEY FIG. 55 1 /556 INVENTOR ROBERT L.FEAGAN BY (ZZZ/0% ATTORNEY PMENTEBMAR (1912 3,646,690

snm IBM 14 DET W I. 5/?

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INVENTOR ROBERT L. FEAGAN BY (J/1 ATTORNEY APPARATUS AND METHOD FORCONVEYING INFORMATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some of the factualrelations involved in the present invention require a certain nicety ofdistinction which has been largely overlooked in the planning andexecution of construction. The term construction includes, but is notrestricted to buildings, structures, piping installations and the like.

It is considered desirable to provide definitions of certain terms.

The term conveyance" or conveys is a general term which means transferin intelligible form (of useful information).

One of the features of the apparatus of this invention is that itprovides models of construction. By a model is meant an assembly ofphysical pieces which conveys a more or less toscale likeness ofbuildings, structures and the like. This likeness is conveyed by pieceswhich resemble general planning features such as walls, partitions,doors, toilet fixtures and the like.

The physical pieces which are used to provide models of construction maybe generally described as follows:

Three dimensional model pieces having perceptible depth, width andbreadth. Examples are vertical standing wallp'ieces, fixture pieces andthe like.

Flat model pieces are pieces made from thin sheet materials such aspaper. Examples are toilet fixtures, exterior wall texture pieces andthe like.

Generally, models are assembled from three dimensional pieces or acombination of three dimensional pieces and flat pieces.

The term base means a support for model pieces or representations withat least one plane surface. Ordinarily the plane surface of a base ishorizontal, but it may be vertical or lie at some angle between.Preferably the base has on a surface or surfaces upon which threedimensional and flat model pieces or representations are to be mounted,base reference lines forming a grid. Normally, the grid will berectilinear although other forms of grid are possible.

The base may, and preferably does, include panels" hinged or fixed. Thepanels are adapted to support facing element model pieces in such a waythat they can be viewed, in the relationship of elevation to plan withrespect to a plane surface of the base, in projective relation to modelpieces mounted on the plane surface of the base.

A model of construction is useful in itself. A model may be aneducational toy, or it may be of existing construction. A model asdescribed above does not convey sufficient specific information toidentify and specifically define the pieces required for proposedconstruction for which a model may be assembled. In this invention,model pieces are important in construction arrangements, which term isof special significance and is defined hereinafter.

The term planning element means broadly any material, shape, structureor part used to achieve a desired function or appearance in a building,structure or the like represented by a "construction arrangement." Inconventional wood framing construction, external walls, partitions,foundations, joists, floors and the like, and the parts which make themup, such, e.g., as plates and studs in walls are examples of planningelements. Also included in the term are elements such as electricalwiring, water and sewer piping, heating system duct work and the like;fixture elements, which include broadly conventional fixtures such asbathroom fixtures, and also cabinets, major appliances and the like,which though they do not contribute to the supportive structure, may belooked upon as permanent elements of the building; facing elements,which are essentially elements of appearance, such as paint orwallpaper, carpeting, textured brick, shingle surfaces and the like, andtransient elements such as furniture.

This invention recognizes that from the standpoint of conveying specificinformation three broad classes of planning elements exist. Theseclasses are: Primary Planning Elements, Appurtenant Planning Elements"and "Detail Planning Elements.

By primary planning elements is meant those planning elements whichachieve the general function of the construction. In the execution ofconstruction numerous pieces must be fabricated and attached together toachieve a desired relative location of primary planning elements. Thusin conventional wood framing residential construction, walls, floors,toilet fixtures and the like may be considered as primary planningelements. People who plan construction choose among various combinationsof representations of primary planning elements to arrive at aconstruction arrangement.

The term appurtenant planning elements" means those planning elementswhich are related to and necessary for primary planning elements butwhich are not generally included among those planning elementsrepresented in a construction arrangement. Thus in conventional woodframing, a wall footing, an eave fascia and soffit, heating system ductwork and the like may be considered as appurtenant planning elements.

The term detail planning elements means specific pieces, parts, shapesand assemblies which are used in primary planning elements andappurtenant planning elements. Thus,

in conventional wood framing, a stud in a partition, a sanitary T-branchin a soil stack, reinforcing bars in a footing and the like may beconsidered as detail planning elements.

A standard component is a planning element which in combination withother standard components achieves a large planning element. As usedherein the term implies prefabrication and consignment to inventory fromwhich the components may be drawn for use to achieve specificconstruction. A standard component may have detail planning elementsprovided to accommodate requirements of planning element interfaces.Thus, in conventional wood-framing construction standard components forexterior walls, floors, partitions, drain piping, basement foundationwalls and the like may be provided.

By a planning element interface is meant the meeting plane or joining ofplanning elements, generally primary or appurtenant planning elements.The meeting of partitions, partitions and exterior walls, partitions andfloor, drain pipe and floor and partition, floor beam and foundationwall, areexamples of planning element interfaces.

The term representation" is used to describe a physical apparatus pieceof this invention bearing a direct relationship to a planning element inproposed construction represented by a construction arrangement.Examples of representations are: an exterior wall model piece which hasa direct relation to the actual wall structure; a flat piece whichillustrates a footing; a line which illustrates a joist or a stud. Arepresentation may be in the form of a self-supporting part the lengthof which represents the length of a wall section standard component.

Each of the broad classes of planning elements is provided withrepresentations in this invention. Thus representations of primaryplanning elements, appurtenant planning elements, detail planningelements and standard component planning elements are provided.Generally, representations of primary planning elements are modelpieces.

The term association line or association lines" refers to observablelines or implied centerlines on a representation. Thus an index line orindex lines on a fixture representation are association lines. A linerepresenting a joist or stud is an association line. Lines representinga planning element interface in a standard component representation areassociation lines. Similarly a bottom edge of a three-dimensional modelpiece representation of a wall segment is an association line. As analternate to an edge, an implied centerline of the representation of awall segment may be recognized as an association line.

Representations of primary planning elements require a suitableidentification which conveys information on detail planning elements forthe primary planning elements. Representations of primary planningelements which are three dimensional model piecesand flat model piecesgenerally may be recognized and named by their shapes. However, asupplementary specification of identification is necessary for suchrepresentations. For example, a model wallpiece doe not generally conveyinformation on size and spacing of studs, structural facing materialsetc., (assuming that wood framing is to be used). Suitableidentification of primary planning element representations may beaccomplished by Supplementary Specification which is used inconventional architectural and engineering practice.

By the term construction arrangement" is meant a visual compositerepresentation which conveys general function, size and location ofprimary planning elements in proposed construction. In this invention,new methods for detailing are disclosed, as is well known to thoseskilled in the arts of general planning and detailing, the location ofprimary planning elements as conveyed by a construction arrangement mustbe in terms of units of a measuring device. As used in this invention aconstruction arrangement" has representations of primary planningelements; the number of primary planning elements represented is thenumber necessary for detailing all or a portion of the constructionarrangement; and the location of primary planning elements is conveyedin terms of units of a measuring device. Suitable identification ofprimary planning elements is necessary but this may be accomplished bysupplementary specification or by indicia of reference standard details.In conventional architectural and engineering practice, general planviews and elevations is the construction arrangement. These drawings ingeneral have drawing symbols and dimensions which convey relativelocations of primary planning elements in the proposed construction.

By means of the present invention construction arrangements of a specialnature are achieved. These construction arrangements are characterizedby a conveyance of locations of primary planning elements in terms ofmeasurement units which require a measuring device divided into wholeunits scale related to reference line spacing in the constructionarrangement. The whole units in the measuring device may be subdividedto allow measurement of location of primary planning elements whichlocation is unequivocally conveyed by location of the representation inrelation to the reference lines. In the present embodiment of thisinvention the measuring device is divided into whole units andsubdivided into half units. This type of construction arrangement istermed an unambiguous placement construction arrangement. Therepresentations of primary planning elements must have suitableidentification.

General Planning is the process of making a construction arrangement. Inconventional architectural and engineering practice this is accomplishedwith paper, pencil, erasers, straight edges and related drafting tools.In General Planning choices of relations among primary planning elementsand conveyance of these relations are involved.

The term detailing means producing a conveyance of sizes, quantities,measurements, locations and other information regarding appurtenant anddetail planning elements of a construction arrangement. Detailingproduces detail information for construction."

By reference standard detail is meant construction details" whichcontain on evident reference line or lines. The reference standarddetails have suitable indicia preferably related to the identificationof primary planning elements. The reference line or lines are generallyrecognized as association lines in representations. The dimensions ofthe construction details are referenced to or tied into" the evidentreference line or lines.

Reference standard details fall into three general-classifications: Oneclassification is those reference standard details which define detailplanning elements of primary planning elementsThus, a reference standarddetail may be used to show stud size and spacing in an exterior wall. Asecond classificaplanning element requirements at planning element interfaces. Thus a reference standard detail may be used to define thelocation of rafters in relation to a chimney.

The indicia of reference standard details may be used for suitableidentification of primary planning elements and to represent appurtenantplanning elements in a construction arrangement. Thus the identificationof an exterior wall representation which is a primary planning elementmay include an indicium of the reference standard detail defining thedetail planning elements of the exterior wall and an indicium of areference standard detail which represents the appropriate basement walland footing to be used with the exterior wall represented. This istermed construction arrangement identification of planning elements byapplied indicia."

Representations of appurtenant planning elements may be identified byindicia of reference standard'details. Representations of detailplanning elements are suitably identified by specific reference standarddetail indicia or terminology. Representations of detail planningelements at interfaces may be identified by indicia of referencestandard details of planning elements meeting at the interfaces.

By construction details is meant a drawing which is dimensioned andannotated to convey measurements required to fabricate detail planningelements, that is, individual pieces and assemblies of pieces, and tolocate detail planning elements relative to each other. Each detailplanning element is suitably identified, for example, by name.Supplementary information such as reference to indicia of other standarddetails, specifications for material and other useful information may beincluded in the construction details.

Construction details may be a part of a representation, a plane surfaceof the representation serving as the drawing surface.

Prior practice in detailing of a construction arrangement requires aperson 's having knowledge of the manner in which detail planningelements fit together in construction, and he must also have knowledgeof the requirements for complete conveyance of detail information forconstruction.

Detailing of an unambiguous placement construction arrangement" withidentification of planning elements by applied indicia may beaccomplished, in part or entirely, by observation of features andidentification of representations in the construction arrangement. Thedetailing may be guided by instructions based upon the factual featuresobserved in the construction arrangement. These instructions greatlyreduce or eliminate entirely the requirements for knowledge of fittingtogether of detail planning elements on the part of the personperforming the detailing.

An observable feature useful in detailing as described immediately aboveis location association. The term location association means theconveyance of an association between base reference lines andrepresentation association lines or reference standard detail referencelines.

It is noted that when representations have construction details as apart of the representation, information for fabrication is conveyed bythe representation.

Since time immemorial, building structures have been constructed inaccordance with drawings which have been either scaled to size or, morecommonly, provided with dimensions.

Most people outside the construction industry have grave difficultyenvisioning the arrangementand appearance of a building, on the basis ofdrawings.

In practice, in custom-made building structures, the future occupantdescribes his wants in terms of appearance or function or both, to anarchitect or engineer, who then designs the structure in general terms,within the limits of cost, space, or

other restrictions. The architect or engineer sketches a plan which isintended chiefly to show the relationship among primary planningelements. The plan of the architect or engineer generally has very fewdimensions, which convey only overall distances.

The prospective occupant then generally reviews the plan, which mayinclude perspective views, scaling and shading, and to the extent thathe can understand the plans and envision the structure either approvesor suggests changes.

Next plans are developed which contain sufficient dimensions to conveyto experienced contractors and construction persons the distances of theprimary planning elements relative to each other.

Concurrently or subsequently, sectional views and the like, peculiar tothe plan, are developed, which are dimensioned to convey themeasurements or distances required for fabrication or location of theindividual pieces or parts which must be fastened together to producethe structure. Generally, the number of such drawings is held to aminimum, which necessitates skill in interpretation by the person usingthe drawings.

In some instances, detail and erection drawings are made, particularlyif the materials used in the construction require other than simple handtools for fabrication and assembling.

On the basis of the drawings, the quantities of materials required forthe construction are determined and ordered.

Finally, the materials and the locations of the elements are measuredand fabricated and the elements assembled.

Much actual construction work is done without any formal plans by menwith experience in their particular fields. Thus, the carpentersbuilding a house frequently frame the exterior walls of the house to fitthe foundation plan, and frame the interior without any specificdirections as to placement of the floor joists, the pieces making up thesubfloor, the plates and studs, and even the rafters. Frequently, as aresult, the plumbers, electricians and sheet metal workers find itnecessary to cutout sections, or to run pipes, ducts and wires around inan awkward arrangement.

If the future occupant discovers, at any stage in the proceedings, thatsome part of the plan does not suit him, it is difficult and expensiveto make changes. Furthermore, as has been suggested above, it isextremely difficult for one who has little experience, to estimatematerial requirements, the amount of labor involved and the properscheduling of work and materials.

One of the objects is to provide a process for building planning whichcombines flexibility of arrangement with standardization of distances,pieces and assemblies which are required for construction.

Another object is to provide a model which conveys more information thanconventional drawings.

Another object is to provide such a model which conveys relationshipsand appearance to greater effect than conventional drawings.

Still another object is to provide a process of general planning ofconstruction which conveys information in terms which are assimilable bydigital computers.

Still another object is to provide model pieces which are reusable,simple to use, stable in use, and which convey not only appearance butconstruction information.

Still another object is to provide means for portraying exteriorappearance of buildings in projective relation to an interior model.

Still another object is to provide a process for general planning anddetailing which does not require the making of drawings.

Still another object is to provide more direct measurement informationthan is provided by conventional drawings.

Still another object is to provide model pieces which may be used toconstruct stable models of different sizes and arrangement andappearance for amusement and education without conveyance ofconstruction information.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in thelight of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention generallystated, information relevant to proposed construction is conveyed bymeans of primary planning element representations on a base havinguniformly spaced reference lines. The representations are removablymounted in unambiguous relation to the reference lines. At least some ofthese representations are model pieces provided with a plurality of pegsprojecting from an edge. The base is provided with a multiplicity ofholes of a size and depth complimentary to the pegs, consistentlypositioned with respect to and spaced along the reference lines.

Preferably, the reference lines form a rectilinear grid, and panels areprovided along edges of the base for mounting model pieces of externalfacing element representations of a building on a scale with primaryplanning element representations on the base and in projective relationto them.

Also, preferably, mensuration strips which may be movable are mounted onthe base in direct identifying relation to particularly identified lineson the base.

Means, in the form of saddle-shaped opening designations are providedremovably mounted on exterior wall and partition wall segment modelpieces and provided with location indicia in unambiguous relation to thereference lines.

Fixtures-representations are preferably provided with location indiciain unambiguous relation to reference lines.

Indicia of reference standard details relating to particularrepresentations are mounted in unambiguous relation to reference linesand to the particular representation to which it relates.

The base, planning element representations, mensuration strips andindicia of reference standard details are such that the assemblage canbe photographed, and the resulting photograph can convey all of theinformation or direct reference to all of the information required forthe construction of a build The mensuration strips, reference lines andindicia are such as to provide information in a manner directlyassimilable by'a digital computer.

As an alternative to mounting indicia of reference standard details,construction details are made a part of planning elementrepresentations.

Also to achieve amembly of-building models with no intent to conveyinformation on proposed construction, a flat pattern, conveying suitableidentification of model pieces is placed in registration with holes in abase and model pieces with pegs are mounted on the base, the pegspenetrating the flat pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective partly broken away, of oneembodiment of base, model assembly and elevation panels illustratingthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a model piece, in the form of asegment of an exterior wall, mounted on a base;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of another model piece in the form of acomer in an exterior wall, mounted on a base;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a model piece in the form of areentrant corner, mounted in unambiguous relation to reference lines onthe base;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view of the lower part of the model pieceshown in FIG. 2, showing projecting pegs;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a model piece in the formof a segment of an exterior wall, adapted to receive a verticalextension piece;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; t

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing model pieces in theform of exterior wall segments on one of which a model piece in the formof a saddle-shaped opening designation is mounted;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective of the saddle-shaped openingdesignation shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view in perspective of a model piece in the form ofpartition or interior wall segment, mounted on a base;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the partition piece shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14 14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 14 and15 showing an alternative means for mounting the piece shown in FIGS. 12and 13;

FIG. 17A is a view in perspective of one embodiment of a model piece inthe form of a closet;

FIG. 17B is a view in perspective of a model piece in the form of acloset intended for use with the piece shown in FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18 is still another embodiment of a model piece in the form of acloset;

FIG. 19 is a view in perspective of a model piece conveying the swing ofa door in a partition, mounted on a partition model piece;

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the door pieceshown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 2l-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a view in perspective of a saddle-shaped opening designationpiece for a partition model piece;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing saddle-shapedopening designation pieces in telescopic relation, mounted on apartition model piece which is mounted on a base;

FIG. 23A is a fragmentary view in perspective of model pieces in theform of exterior wall segments or partition segments mounted on a basehaving a different arrangement of holes and peg positions from theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 23B is a sectional view taken along line 238 of FIG. 23A;

FIG. 24 is a view in perspective of a fixture model piece in the fonn ofa bathtub, mounted on a base in relation to an exterior wall model pieceand an interior partition model piece;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a fixture modelpiece in the form of a toilet mounted on a base in relation to apartition model piece;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a model piece in theform of a washbasin mounted on a base in relation to a partition modelpiece;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a fixture model piece inthe form of a kitchen sink and cabinets mounted on a base in relation toexterior wall model pieces;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary top plan view partly in section of a fixturemodel piece in the form of an arrangement of bathroom fixtures mountedas a unit on a base in one of four possible relations to partition andexterior wall model pieces;

FIG. 28A is a fragmentary detail top plan view illustrating anotherposition of the interface of elements shown in FIG. 28 with respect toreference lines on the base;

FIG. 28B is a fragmentary detail top plan view illustrating a thirdposition of the interface of elements shown in FIG. 28 with respect toreference lines on the base;

FIG. 28C is a fragmentary detail top plan view illustrating the fourthpossible position of the interface of elements shown in FIG. 28 withrespect to references lines on the base;

FIG. 29 is a view in perspective partly broken out, of a hinge mountedpanel of the character shown in FIG. 1, without facing element modelpieces mounted on it;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a detail of thepanel in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view, partly broken away, showing facing modelpieces in the form of exterior wall surfaces;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary top plan view of the model pieces shown in FIG.31 with the addition of a window piece, mounted on the panel shown inFIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary view in plan, partly broken away, of variousexternal facing model pieces mounted on the panel shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary view in plan, partly broken away, showing afurther development of the mounting of the pieces shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a plan view partly broken away of the panel of FIG. 29,showing an early step in the development of a front elevation of aresidence;

FIG. 36 is a view corresponding to the view shown in FIG. 35, showing asubsequent step;

FIG. 37 is a view corresponding to the view shown in FIGS. 35 and 36showing a completed front elevation;

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary plan view, partly broken away, showingwallpieces mounted on the panel shown in FIG. 29, illustrating anexterior wall of a two-story house;

FIG. 39 is a view corresponding to that shown in FIG. 38, illustratingan exterior wall of a house with three levels;

FIG. 40 is a fragmentary view in perspective of facing element modelpieces for use in conveying interior appearance;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of the base and model of FIG. 1 whereinsuitable identification of some of the primary planning elementrepresentations has been accomplished by addition of indicia ofreference standard details;

FIG. 42 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a base showing examplesof various reference lines;

FIG. 43 is a fragmentary detail plan view showing the placement of walland partition pieces with respect to reference lines in the samerelation as wall and partition model pieces are shown in FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is a view. corresponding to the one shown in FIG. 43, butshowing an alternative placement of wall and partition pieces inunambiguous relation with respect to reference lines;

FIG. 45 is a fragmentary top plan view of a measuring device withmarkings and divisions consistent with the reference lines of the baseshown in FIGS. 1 and 41;

FIG. 46 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view through an exteriorwall of a residential-type structure;

FIG. 47 is a reference standard detail drawing of an appurtenantplanning element which is the portion of the wall designated as A inFIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a reference standard detail drawing of an appurtenantplanning element which is the portion of the wall designated as B inFIG. 46;

FIG. 49 is a reference standard detail drawing of a primary planningelement which is the portion of the wall designated as C in FIG. 46;

FIG. 50 is a reference standard detail drawing of a primary planningelement with a center section removed, which is the portion of the walldesignated as D in FIG. 46;

FIG. 51 is a reference standard detail drawing of a planning elementinterface which is framing of a window opening in a wall;

FIG. 52 is a reference standard detail drawing of a standard componentwhich includes a window framing of a wall;

FIG. 53 is a reference standard detail drawing of a standard componentwhich includes a window in a wall;

FIG. 54 is a reference standard detail drawing of a planning elementinterface which is drainage piping and a partition;

FIG. 55 is a fragmentary top plan view of a base upon which appurtenantplanning element representations in the form of footings and detailplanning element representations in the form of drainage piping aremounted;

FIG. 56 is a fragmentary top plan view of a base on which appurtenantplanning element representations in the form of foundation walls anddetail planning element representations in the form of beam seats aremounted;

FIG. 57 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly broken away, of detailplanning element representations in the form of subflooring, joist andedge joists, and of reference standard detail indicia, mounted on abase;

FIG. 58 is a fragmentary top plan view of a base upon which detailelement representations of an exterior wall are mounted;

FIG. 59 is a view corresponding to the view shown in FIG. 58, withdetail element representation of the exterior wall perpendicular to thewall referred to in FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a view corresponding to theviews shown in FIGS. 58 and 59,with representations of standard components mounted adjacent wallpieces;

FIG. 61 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a multilevel board andmodel, with vertical and horizontal mensuration strips;

FIG. 62 is a sectional view taken along the line L6 looking in theR-direction of FIG. 61, showing vertical and horizontal reaches ofpiping within the model; and

FIG. 63 is a view in perspective of a partly completed model on a modelbase on which a pattern has been mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsfor illustrative embodiments of information-conveying apparatus of thisinvention, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 41 and 42, a base 10 mountedlonai pedestal or legs, not he r e shown, is provided ivifirreference lines30, which, in this embodiment, are in the form of a rectangular grid,and with holes 17 which are symmetrically positioned about and alongreference lines 30. In this embodiment, the holes 17 are adjacent butnot on lines 30.

Also, in this embodiment, mensuartion strips 31 are provided, whichextend along and adjacent two edges of the base, at right angles to oneanother. The mensuration strips 31 carry reference symbols 320 and 321,direction symbols 320A and 32013, and 321A and 3213, respectively, andnumerals320C and 320D and 321C and 321D, respectively. The directionsymbols are in the form of triangular indicia, the apices of whichcoincide with heavy solid lines of the reference lines 30. Within eachof the triangular areas of the direction symbols 320A is the letter B,"which signifies Back. In each of the triangular areas of the directionsymbols 3208 is the letter F," which signifies Front. In each of thetriangular areas of the direction symbols 321A is the letter R, whichsignifies Right. In each of the triangular areas of the directionsymbols 321B is the letter L, which signifies Left. The numerals 320C,320D, 321C and 321D are enclosed within circles contiguous the center ofthe base opposite the apex of each of the direction symbols.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 41 and 42, one reference symbol 320and one reference symbol 321 has no letter in its triangular area, andhas the number zero in its numeral circle. These designate zeroreference lines on the base grid. The numerals in this embodimentindicate regular multiples of space units reckoned from the zeroreference lines. In the illustrative embodiment, these space units arerepresented by reference lines of different character from the heavysolid lines associated with the direction symbols.

It will be observed that in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 41, the number of reference symbols on the mensuration strips on oneside of each zero reference line is different from that on the otherside. The mensuration strips can be made with the same numbers ofreference symbols on each side of the zero reference line, or the zeroreference line may be placed at one end of the strip. The zero referencemay even be eliminated, but under most conditions this is undesirable.

The mensuration strips can be and preferably are mountable anddemountable, to accommodate different arrangements of planning elementrepresentations as will be explained.

Model pieces are mounted on the base 10 to provide a model, in thisillustrative embodiment, of a residential type structure. These modelpieces include exterior wall pieces which, in the aggregate produce anexterior wall 110, partition model pieces which, assembled, producepartitions 114, a fireplace piece 13, and various sink, bathroom fixturepieces and closet pieces, all of which will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter.

Hingedly mounted on the edges of the base 10 are panels 20 on whichexterior appearance model pieces are mounted to construct a likeness ofthe elevations of the model on the base 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 7 for illustrative examples of modelpieces useful in making up an exterior wall, reference numeral 11indicates one type of exterior wall piece. The piece 11 is rectangularin elevation, with a tongue 15 along one long edge and a complementarygroove 16 along the opposite long edge. Pegs 103, centered transversely,project from a short 'edge of the'piece 11. The pegs 103 are spacedapart on exactly the same spacing as consecutive holes 17 are spacedalong the reference lines of the base. The pieces. 2 through 7 span onlytwo holes in any one reach. It can be seen that if a piece spans morethan two holes 17, only two pegs will ordinarily be needed, spaced anintegral multiple of the spacing of consecutive holes. The length of thepegs 103 is such as to permit them to be received entirely within theholes 17, and to mount the piece 11 solidly but easily manuallydemountably on the base. The thickness of the piece 11 is such, in thisembodiment, and the offset of the holes 17 from the lines along whichthey extend is such that, when the piece 11 is mounted on the base, anarris of a short edge of the piece lies along and touching a referenceline. That arris constitutes an association line 32. In FIGS. 2, 5 and 6this relation is shown clearly, the association line 32 coinciding witha specific reference line 33 on the base 10. The specific reference line33, of course, bears a unique relation to the reference symbols,direction symbols and numerals. Thus, the exterior wallpiece 11 as shownin FIG. 2 bears an unambiguous relation to the specific reference line33 and to every other reference line on the base.

In FIG. 3, an exterior wall corner model piece 101 has two associationlines, 32 and 32A, at right angles to one another. The piece 101 is soproportioned that the association line 32 touches a specific referenceline 33 while the association line 32A touches and extends along areference line 33A perpendicular to the reference line 33.

In FIG. 4 a reentrant wall comer model piece 102 is shown with itsinside lower arrises serving as association lines 32 and arises It willbe observed that the length of the association line 32 is an integralmultiple of space units.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a model piece 11A is shown provided with a groove 105along its top edge to accommodate a height extension piece 104. Theheight extension piece 104 can be of any desired height, and is providedalong its upper and lower edges with grooves 105. A spline 106 seated inthe corresponding grooves 105 in the piece 1 1A and the height extensionpiece 104, provides a stable mounting for the height extension piece104.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 11, a saddle-shaped opening piece 108is made up of facing panels 111 joined by a U- shaped wall clip piece110. The particular embodiment of saddle-shaped opening piece 108 shownin FIGS. .9-11 is intended to represent a window opening, and to thatend, upper and lower boundary defining panels 112 are fastened to theoutside faces of the facing panels 111. The lower boundary definingpanel 112 has at its center lengthwise of the piece a verticalassociation line 34. The height of the facing panels 111 is such as tolet the saddle-shaped piece clear the base when it is mounted, but tocome close to the base so that the association line 34 is in unambiguousrelation to specific base reference lines on the base. The associationline 34 can either be immediately contiguous a particular referenceline, or it can lie between two reference lines. In FIG. 9, for example,the association line 34 lies midway between reference lines 35A and 35B.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 16, a partition piece 107, making up apart of partition 114, is shown as being mounted on the base 10 inunambiguous relation to a specific reference line 37 The arris along along edge of the piece 107 constitutes an association line 36, whichtouches the line 37. The partition piece 107 is similarto but notidentical with the

1. A planning and building information-conveying device comprising abase having spaced reference lines forming a reference grid and amultiplicity of holes consistently positioned with respect to and spacedalong said reference lines, and representations of primary planningelements, said representations being dimensionally stable andself-supporting and having a plurality of pegs projecting from a loweredge, said pegs being spaced to fit into spaced ones of said holes inthe base and all positioned to bear the same spatial relation toadjacent edges of said representations, said representations beingmounted on said base by means of said pegs, the vertical of saidrepresentations adjacent said base being representative of the surfacesof the elements of said representations.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the holes in the base are symmetrically offset on either side ofthe said reference lines, and the representations are so proportionedthat an edge of said representations lies along and close by a line whenthe pegs are mounted in the holes.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein theholes lie along particularly identified lines.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein primary planning elements of the representations are exteriorwall segments.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein saddle-shaped openingdesignations are provided, mounted on said exterior wall segments,extending substantially to the base and provided with at least oneassociation line at its edge adjacent the base in unambiguous relationto the said grid lines.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein planningelements of other, different representations are interior partitions,said interior partition representations being dimensionally stable andself-supporting and having temporary mounting means for mounting andholding said interior partition representations directly to the saidbase in any desired position relative to said exterior wall segments andgrid lines.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein planning elements of other,different representations are fixtures, with association lines inunambiguous relation to said grid lines and to at least one of saidexterior wall and interior partition representations.
 8. The device ofclaim 3 wherein a mensuration strip is removably mounted on the base indirect identifying relation to particularly identified lines.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the base has a substantially horizontal planarsurface and at least one straight edge, the reference grid being made upof lines parallel with and lines perpendicular to the said edge, and anelevation model support extending along said edge, said support havingmeans for holding exterior building surface representations.
 10. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein the mounting means are adherent.
 11. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein the mounting means are magnetic and the basehas a face to which the magnetic mounting means are attached.
 12. Themethod of conveying information about a structure comprisingestablishing a planar grid of intersecting sets of parallel lines,mounting on said grid in unambiguous relation to said lines a pluralityof planning element representations and mounting in unambiguous relationto said lines and to said representations indicia of reference standarddetails.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the information conveyed isthe location, appearance and measurement of a building structure, whichincludes the steps of establishing a rectangular grid, establishing azero reference line on said grid, and erecting on said grid insignificant relation to said zero reference line a plurality of threedimensional, self-supporting primary planning element representations.14. The method of claim 12 including providing means for identifying thereference lines in the form of discrete alphanumeric symbols, therepresentation of each different planning element being designated bydiscrete alphanumeric symbols and each different indicium beingdesignated by a discrete alphanumeric symbol assimilable by a computer.15. The method of claim 12 wherein the planning element of therepresentation includes walls, and the method includes mounting on saidwalls representations of openings, said opening representations havingassociation lines on them, said opening representations being mounted inunambiguous relation to said walls and to said base refErence lines andindicia of reference standard details relating to said openingrepresentations being placed on said base in unambiguous relation tosaid opening representations association lines.
 16. The method of claim12 wherein a plurality of primary planning elements are represented, andplanning elements of the representations include walls and fixtures, thesaid fixture representations having association lines, and the methodincludes the step of positioning the association lines of the fixturerepresentations in unambiguous relation both to adjacent walls andreference base lines and placing indicia of reference standard detailson said base in unambiguous relation to said association lines.
 17. Themethod of conveying information including the location, appearance andmeasurement of a building structure comprising establishing a planargrid of intersecting sets of parallel reference lines, establishing azero reference line on said grid, and erecting on said grid inunambiguous relation to said reference lines in significant relation tosaid zero reference line a plurality of three-dimensional,self-supporting primary planning representations.
 18. The method ofclaim 17 including the step of subsequently photographing the saidrepresentations, indicia and base reference lines in place.
 19. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the reference lines are peculiarlyidentified.
 20. The method of conveying information relevant to aconstruction arrangement comprising mounting in unambiguous relation toreference lines on a base a representation of a planning element; andmounting on said base, also in unambiguous relation to at least onereference line on said base, an indicium of a reference standard detailrelating to the actual structure of said planning elementrepresentation.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the reference linesare uniquely identified by discrete characters, the representation ofeach different planning element is designated by a discrete characterand each different indicium is designated by a discrete character, saidcharacters being assimilable by a computer.
 22. The method of claim 20,including the further step of photographing the said representation,indicium and base reference lines in place.
 23. The method of claim 20wherein the representation is a foundation wall, the representationbeing of exact length so that the total length of the representation isa direct function of the volume of the foundation wall.